USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 59
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In November, 1917, Mr. Robertson enlisted in the radio service of the United States Navy; was transferred to seaman and, by examination, was advanced to the rank of chief boatswain's mate. He entered the officers' material school, in which he received a commission as ensign and was assigned to duty on the United States steamship Yantic. Later he was made executive officer of the United States submarine chaser 419 and later became commander of 411. He was hon- orably discharged from the service in November, 1919.
From September, 1920, to June, 1921, Mr. Robertson. taught in the public schools of Kemmerer, Wyoming, being at the head of the physical education and
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manual training departments, and in September, 1921, he became assistant superin- tendent of recreation of the City of Oakland, filling that position until July, 1926, when, his efficient service having won well merited recognition, he was made superintendent of recreation for the city and director of physical education in the public schools, in which capacity he is still serving. Physical education and playgrounds are his specialties and since coming to Oakland he has given these branches of child development all of his time, which has added to their importance and effectiveness. In the field of municipal recreation the program includes play days for girls, tournaments for boys, noontime activities, educational dramatics, pageantry, folk and natural dancing, May days, boating, canoeing, regattas, golf, sports, carnivals, baseball, handball, football and tennis and activities at vacation camps, children's clubs and playgrounds.
On February 9, 1919, in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Robertson was united in marriage to Miss Martha Mae McLeod, who was born at Valley Falls, Kansas, August 9, 1889, of Scotch and English descent. She graduated from Kansas Agricultural College, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, after which she took post-graduate work in Chicago University and Columbia University. Her parents were Neil and Martha Catherine (Hatfield) McLeod, the former born at Valley Falls, Kansas, and now living in Topeka, that state, while the mother was born at Dewitt, Iowa, and is deceased.
In his political views Mr. Robertson is a republican and is deeply interested in everything calculated to advance the public welfare along material, civic and moral lines. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the American Legion, the Rotary Club, the Lake Chabot Golf Club and the Young Men's Christian Association, while along professional lines he is affiliated with the Oakland Teachers' Association, the California Teachers' Association, the National Education Asso- ciation, the Physical Education Association, the Directors and Supervisors' Asso- ciation, the Playground and Recreation Association of America and the Western Division of that association, the Schoolmasters' Club, the Pacific Coast Camp Association and the Glenview Improvement Club. His religious connection is with the Methodist Episcopal church. In full sympathy with the inclinations and yearnings of childhood and having a broad understanding of the physical problems of youth, he directs a well balanced program which gives every child in the Oakland public schools and the city of Oakland proper attention along physical and recreational lines, and the results of his well directed efforts here have been highly commended by all who are in touch with the work. Genial and friendly in manner, he has made a host of warm and loyal friends since coming to this city and is held in the highest regard.
CHARLES J. THALER
Charles J. Thaler, battalion chief in the Oakland fire department, owes his rise in the service to his sterling character and his able and faithful performance of duty, and he is well thought of by his fellow workers.
Mr. Thaler was born in Oakland on the 16th of April, 1883, and is a son of
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the late Elizabeth and Conrad Thaler, who came across the plains in '49, and being a baker by trade, the father established a bakery in San Francisco, and a few years later moved to Oakland and established what was known to be the "San Francisco Bakery" at Eighth and Chester streets. He conducted this business successfully and was well known throughout the northern part of California. He took an active part in all civic affairs. He passed away at the age of seventy-eight years, and the property at Eighth and Chester streets which he left to his children, was later purchased and is now owned by Charles J. Thaler.
Charles secured his education in the Oakland public schools. In 1897 he crossed the desert to Arizona and worked on one of the largest cattle ranches in that section until 1899, when he enlisted in the United States Navy and received his honorable discharge at Pensacola, Florida, in 1904.
Upon his return to Oakland, Mr. Thaler purchased a paper route, which busi- ness he owned and conducted for several years. In 1906 he was appointed as extra man in the fire department and was on active duty during the San Francisco earthquake and fire. In 1908 he was appointed a regular fireman and served in that capacity until 1912, when he took the examination for lieutenant and passed the highest on the list. In 1913 he took an examination for captaincy and again passed high man. In 1914 he headed his class in the examination for battalion chief and is still serving in that capacity. Cool-headed, fearless and determined, he is well qualified for his position, and is held in high regard by all who know him, while at the same time he commands the respect and confidence of the men under him.
Mr. Thaler was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Rutherford, daughter of Sarah M. and the late Jack Rutherford, foreman of Engine Company No. 5, whose death occurred as the result of injuries received while fighting fire. Mrs. Thaler has long been active in the affairs of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, in which she served as grand trustee and is now grand secretary.
Charles J. Thaler is a member of Oakland Lodge No. 71, B. P. O. E; Athens Parlor No. 195, N. S. G. W .; Pacific Coast Chiefs Association; Firemen's Relief Association; and Liscum Camp Spanish-American War Veterans.
COAST MANUFACTURING & SUPPLY COMPANY
A miner's safety fuse was invented by William Bickford at Tuckingmill, Cornwall, England, and patented by him on September 6, 1831. In 1836 it was decided to manufacture this device in the United States and the old Newgate prison at Granby, Connecticut, was secured for this purpose, while later the busi- ness was moved to Simsbury in the same state. Recognizing the possibilities for development in the growing west, the men who controlled the industry decided to locate in California and in 1867 opened a plant in Alameda county at what was then known as Brooklyn but is now East Oakland. In 1914 the members of the company found themselves in the midst of a rapidly expanding city and so pur- chased their present site near Livermore, in the Livermore valley.
The property comprises twenty acres of land and six acres of floor space
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are furnished by the buildings, which include a hospital and dispensary, a laboratory, a large, two-story structure in which the offices of the company are situated, and about twenty dwellings for its employes. Two water systems have been installed, and a chemical fire engine is in readiness for emergencies. The well kept lawns are ornamented with shrubs and much effort has been expended in making this a model community as well as an industrial center. During the summer the working hours are from early morning until early in the afternoon, thus affording the men time for recreation, and because of ideal living conditions the employment turn-over is practically nil.
For fifty-four years the company has been making the above mentioned safety fuse and its best sellers are Dreadnaught, which is used chiefly in the large copper and other mines of the west, Tripletape and Comet Special. A high standard of production is maintained and the sales of the company cover a wider area than those of any other firm in the western hemisphere. During the World war they furnished over fifty thousand miles of fuse to the allies and all orders were ready on time. The firm maintains a field service department, in charge of experts, and the present officers of the corporation are Thomas W. Norris, president ; and R. E. Merritt, secretary and assistant general manager.
J. EMIL PETERSEN
When, on January 22, 1898, J. Emil Petersen closed his eyes to earthly scenes, to join the choir triumphant, the city of Oakland lost one of its noblest characters. He had attained a large place in the business activities of this city, in which he met with a due measure of material success, and had also won an abiding place in the hearts of all who knew him, for he was a man of high ideals, which he exemplified in his daily life, and he stood consistently for all that was really worth while. Mr. Petersen was born in Denmark in 1863 and was reared and educated in that country. In 1883, when twenty years old, he came to California on a visit and was so attracted by this part of the country that he decided to make it his perma- nent home, remaining here continuously to the time of his death, with the exception of a five-months' visit to his native land in 1910. Before coming to this country he had graduated from Copenhagen University and had been pursuing medical studies, but after establishing his residence here he relinquished the idea of a professional career and became identified with the Port Costa Lumber Company at Vallejo Junction, of which he was superintendent for over thirty years. During that period he resided at Crockett, Contra Costa county, where he took an active part in local public affairs, having served for twenty-six years as a member of the board of education. He was a prominent figure in all republican conventions during that time and took pride in the political careers of some of the county officers whom he helped to nominate and elect. In 1915 Mr. Petersen moved to Oakland and engaged in the real estate business, in which he met with gratifying success. His first office was in the down-town district, but later, with a keen vision as to the future possibilities of the Eastlake property, he moved his office to the corner of East Fourteenth street and Fifty-fourth avenue, which property he
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bought. Though conducting a general real estate business, he specialized in small homes and building lots, being a firm believer in everyone owning his home, his slogan being "Buy a Piece of Oakland." Thus he became an active and important factor in the upbuilding and development of that section of the city and the prosperity which came to him was well deserved.
Mr. Petersen was married in 1894, but his first wife passed away in 1909. He was married again in 1911 and his widow, Mrs. Emma C. Petersen, survives him. The republican party always claimed his stanch allegiance and everything which pertained to the welfare and betterment of his community received his earnest support. Fraternally, he was a member of Martinez Lodge, No. 41, F. & A. M .; Oakland Chapter, R. A. M .; Oakland Commandery, No. 11, K. T .; Oakland Consistory, No. 2, A. A. T. R .; Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; Oakland Pyramid, No. 2, Sciots; Vallejo Lodge, No. 559, B. P. O. E .; San Pablo Lodge, No. 43, I. O. O. F., and Oakland Chapter, No. 140, O. E. S. True and loyal in every relation of life, his record was one that conferred honor on the community in which he lived and none commanded to a greater degree than did he the unqualified confidence and respect of the people among whom he lived. Kindly and unaffected in manner and cordial in his friendship, he lacked not for friends and those who knew him best were his greatest admirers, for he had at all times stood as a man among men, worthy of their esteem.
CHARLES HOWARD MILLER, M. D.
Dr. Charles H. Miller, a well known physician and surgeon of San Leandro, was born in Rouseville, Venango county, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1871, and is a son of John Howard and Elizabeth (Hughes) Miller. The father, also a physician, brought his family to California in 1880, and located at Redding, Shasta county, where he successfully engaged in the practice of medicine until 1896, in which year he located in San Leandro. Here he built up a large practice and devoted his attention closely to his profession until his death in 1900.
Charles H. Miller attended the public schools and matriculated in Cooper Medical College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1896. For one year he was associated in practice with Dr. Barkan, an eminent ear and throat specialist of San Francisco, and then removed to North San Juan, Nevada county, this state, where he engaged in practice until 1900 when, on the death of his father, he came to San Leandro, remaining here to the present time. He has been more than ordinarily successful in his profession and possesses to a marked degree the valuable faculty of inspiring confidence on the part of his patients. He has not only commanded a large private practice throughout his section of Alameda county but is also the local surgeon for the Southern Pacific Railroad and is medical examiner for the New York Life and thirty other insurance companies.
At North Bloomfield, California, Dr. Miller was married to Miss Maude McKillican, whose father was one of the pioneer gold miners of this state. To Dr. and Mrs. Miller was born a son, Donald Howard.
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The Doctor is a meniber of the Masonic fraternity and served for ten years as treasurer of the various branches of that order in San Leandro. He is also a prominent member of the Kiwanis Club and has heartily joined in all movements for the advancement of the community along material, civic and moral lines. He is a member of the Alameda County Medical Society, the California State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians. He has been true and loyal to every responsibility of life and his record has gained for him a high place in public esteem.
ROBERT R. CASTRO
Robert R. Castro, of Oakland, who conducts a large and prosperous insurance business, is a member of one of California's old and well known pioneer families, prominent in the early life of this section of the state, and he has always stood high in public esteem, due to his excellent character and splendid personal traits. Mr. Castro was born in Oakland, December 24, 1884, and is a son of Guadaloupe and Rose (Rodriguez) Castro, who were members of families early established in this state, Mr. Castro's paternal grandparents having settled here over eighty years ago. At one time the family owned over twelve thousand acres of land, embracing what is now the business district of Oakland, but subsequently lost it all, while his mother's family possessed over thirty-five thousand acres of land. The Castros owned one of the first stage coaches used in this part of the country and in various ways were actively identified with the events of the early days in this locality. Both of the parents are deceased.
Robert R. Castro attended the public schools and graduated from the old Harrison high school in 1901. He learned the plumbing trade, but later engaged in the milk business, which commanded his attention for a number of years. For about nine years he was interested in the taxicab business, but since has been engaged in the insurance business, in which he has met with a large measure of success. He represents a number of the largest and strongest companies in the country and has placed a large amount of insurance throughout this locality. Mr. Castro is also the owner of the Hades Cafe, which is very unique, there being nothing like it on the Pacific coast. It has many distinctive features, one of which is that unescorted ladies are not admitted nor any gentlemen who are not accom- panied by ladies. The Hades has the patronage of the best people of the community and the business is steadily growing. Among the many and varied interests of which Robert R. Castro is the head is a seventeen hundred acre stock farm located three and a half miles southwest of Corvallis, Oregon, whereon he keeps forty-one hundred head of high-grade Merino sheep and a number of beef cattle. He is an excellent judge of live stock, his many years of experience in this business making him an expert in his opinions concerning live stock values, so that he is often called upon as an expert witness in damage suits of that character. From boyhood Mr. Castro has been a collector of curios, of which he now has over three hundred and fifty specimens, one of which is an Angora goat with eight perfect legs, two bodies and one head.
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Mr. Castro was united in marriage to Miss Iva M. Strow, who is a native of Oregon, where her parents settled in pioneer times, having crossed the plains with ox teams and covered wagons. Mr. and Mrs. Castro are the parents of six children : Essie, supervisor of Fabiola Hospital; James, weigher for the Grace & Owens Meat Company; William, who is engaged in the battery business in Oakland; Edna, supervisor of the baby ward in Fabiola Hospital; and Roberta and Thomas, who are students in the technical high school. All are yet residents of Oakland.
In his political views Mr. Castro is a strong republican. He is a member of Piedmont Parlor, No. 120, N. S. G. W., of which he is a past president, and belongs to the Past Presidents Association of that organization. He is identified with the entertainment, whist and dance committees of Oakland Lodge, No. 171, B. P. O. E., on which he has served for a period of fourteen years, and is also affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Loyal Order of Moose. A man of progressive and energetic methods, Mr. Castro has attained a very satis- factory success in his business affairs, has shown himself a public-spirited citizen, standing for all that is best in the life of his community, and enjoys a well merited popularity among his acquaintances.
AUGUSTIN DONOVAN
Augustin Donovan, who for sixteen years has been actively engaged in the practice of law in Oakland and in San Francisco, holding high rank in the pro- fession by reason of his comprehensive knowledge of legal principles and his ability to accurately apply these principles to the points in litigation, is numbered among the native sons of San Francisco, where his birth occurred on the 14th of September, 1889, his parents being Michael J. and Elizabeth (Kavanaugh) Donovan, the former a native of Washington, D. C., and the latter of Louisville, Kentucky. His grandfather in the paternal line, M. J. Donovan, Sr., was born in Ireland and came to the United States in young manhood, settling in Washington, D. C. His wife, also a native of the Emerald isle, took up her abode in San Francisco in 1851. The death of M. J. Donovan, Sr., occurred when his son and namesake was quite young.
Michael J. Donovan, father of Augustin Donovan of this review, attended Georgetown University and afterward pursued a law course in the Hastings Law School of San Francisco, being a member of the first class of that institution, graduated in 1881. While he became an attorney, he also engaged in various other lines of business, having ranch property and mining interests, his last days being spent upon his ranch in Kings county, where he passed away in 1898, aged fifty- three years. He long figured prominently in public affairs and was elected to the state senate when but twenty-four years of age. He also served as a member of the state senate committee that conducted the Chinese exclusion examination and hearings in San Francisco in 1878. He was a member of the board of education of that city for a number of years and was the first president of the Builders
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Exchange there. His wife, who was graduated from the College of the Holy Name at Lake Merritt, Oakland, is still living, making her home in San Jose.
Augustin Donovan pursued his academic education at St. Ignatius College and Santa Clara College and later became a law student in the Leland Stanford Uni- versity, where he won his varsity letter in athletics and became a member of the Chi Psi fraternity and also the Phi Delta Phi, a legal honor fraternity. On the completion of his law course he was admitted to the bar September 16, 1912, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession in connection with Willard F. Williamson in San Francisco. He now maintains offices independently in the Oakland Bank building at Oakland and has been more than ordinarily successful in the practice of his profession, winning recognition as a safe and sound counselor and as a reliable and trustworthy trial lawyer, always preparing his cases with great thoroughness and care.
Mr. Donovan was united in marriage to Miss Genevieve Morgan, who was born and reared in San Francisco and is a graduate of Miss Head's School and of the University of California. Mr. Donovan holds membership in the Athenian Nile Club, the Athens Athletic Club, the Press Club and the East Bay Stanford Club, of which he is president. He is also identified with the Chamber of Com- merce and with the Knights of Columbus. His right to membership in the American Legion is based upon his World war service, for he enlisted as a private in the heavy artillery in May, 1917, and subsequently attended the Officers Training Camp at Fort Monroe, Virginia, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant, serving in that capacity until the close of the war. He is also a member of the Alumni Council of Stanford University and that his interest in athletics is main- tained is indicated by his present position as president of the Eastbay Handball League, while the Athens Athletic Club has made him its handball commissioner. A man of keen mentality, agreeable manner and sterling character, he has long enjoyed the respect and esteem of his professional colleagues and contemporaries and a recognition of his high standing at the bar was accorded him in December, 1927, when he was appointed by the board of governors of the State Bar of California a member of the local administrative committee of the state bar for the county of Alameda.
LESLEY E. ALLEY
Lesley E. Alley, a member of the Fernside Builders Company, of Alameda, is widely known as an expert interior wood finisher and evidences of his superior workmanship are to be found in many of the best residences in the Bay district. He has had long experience in the erection of good homes and is an important factor in the success of the firm with which he is now identified. Mr. Alley was born in Hallock, Kittson county, Minnesota, on the 8th of April, 1889, and was there reared to the age of twelve years, when the family moved to Sisseton, South Dakota. There he attended school but completed his education in the grammar schools of Oakland, California, to which city the family had moved in 1904. Mr. Alley learned the carpenter trade with P. H. Pinkerton, for whom he worked
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for four years, and then entered the employ of H. C. Andreasen, of Alameda, for whom he served as foreman of construction in the building of fine homes. He remained with Mr. Andreasen until January 1, 1927, though during five years of this period, embracing the years of the World war, he was employed at joining work on merchant ships in the Moore shipyards. The Fernside Builders Com- pany has erected six fine residences on the Fernside tract at Alameda and is re- garded as a reliable and trustworthy concern, doing thoroughly and well whatever it undertakes.
Mr. Alley was united in marriage to Miss Leila Harrington, who was born and reared in San Francisco, and they are the parents of two sons, Lesley and Dean. Mr. Alley is quiet and unassuming in manner, but possesses those solid elements of character which commend him to the good opinion of all and has been found well worthy of the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.
ST. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
For a half century St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church has been regarded as an important and influential religious organization in Oakland, and under the ministrations and leadership of the present pastor, Rev. Edward Maher, is main- taining its prestige as an agent for good in the community. St. Patrick's parish was set off in August, 1878, and Rev. J. B. McNally was appointed the first pastor. A small chapel was first erected and the congregation, though small, united heartily with the pastor in the great work before them. On April 6, 1879, a new church was dedicated with most impressive ceremonies, after which the pastoral residence was built, followed by the erection of schools and other buildings. The first pastor, Father McNally, celebrated his silver jubilee in the priesthood in St. Patrick's church, at which time the ceremonies were very impressive, thirty-five members of the clergy being present in the sanctuary, including Rt. Rev. Bishop Montgomery, who preached the sermon. Rev. Thomas J. O'Donnell was the rector of St. Patrick's immediately preceding the present rector, being transferred from here to St. Augustine's church, on the border line of Oakland and Berkeley.
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